Police capture man after car, foot chase

WESTERLY — A police pursuit that began around 1:51 p.m. Monday from Watch Hill Road to Shore Road into Dunn’s Corners to Nina Drive near McGowan Corners in Bradford ended when the fleeing suspect bailed out of his moving car, which careened into a police cruiser, and took off on foot. The suspect was quickly captured by Westerly Police Department officers, according to Chief Edward St. Clair.

No one was injured in the chase and subsequent capture.

According to St. Clair, Leonard D. Harrington, 43, of Greenman Road, Westerly, was suspected of driving with a suspended license and possibly of driving under the influence.

According to police, he was “driving all over the road” when officers attempted to stop him on Watch Hill Road.

Harrington took off, St. Clair said, traveling up Shore Road to Crandall Avenue and ultimately, “did a doughnut in a yard and bailed” out of the car near Nina Drive off Route 91.

Police were able to capture Harrington after what St. Clair said was a “30-second chase.”

Harrington, who has a lengthy record and criminal history, was charged with reckless driving, eluding officers and driving with a suspended license.

The police cruiser sustained only minor damage, St. Clair said. Harrington was being processed and held at the Westerly police jail cell on Airport Road.